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VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 38
7124 WINDSOR LAKE PARKWAY, SUITE 4 • LOVES PARK, IL 61111
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
Butter burgers and badges raise funds
COURTESY PHOTOS McHenry County News
The McHenry Police got ample help from the staff at Culver’s during their fundraiser.
The McHenry Police Department held a fundraiser for Special Olympics at Culver’s on Sunday, Aug. 29, 4 to 8 p.m. This is what they had to say about the event: “What a fantastic event for Special Olympics Illinois. We had three athletes and tons of happy supporters buying concretes to support Special Olympics. We absolutely love doing this event. “Special thank yous to the athletes and their families. The Special Olympic Athletes worked their butts off having a great time serving food with us. Thanks to Brooke at Fabulous Faces who donated her time and tips tonight. Brooke did free face painting for any kid. “Thank you to Johnsburg Police Department for sending out some amazing officers to be apart of this event. Now they’re hooked! “And as always, thank you to McHenry Culver’s and the amazing staff. We couldn’t have had a successful event without you!”
(Left) The flashing lights on the police cars remind everyone that it is Butter Burgers and Badges Night.
Pritzker signs protections for immigrant tenants By Peter Hancock CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS
People who rent homes or apartments in Illinois who are not United States citizens have new legal protections under state law. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill Aug. 21 that prohibits landlords from evicting or intimidating tenants based on their citizenship or immigration status. “Where you were born has nothing to do with the ability to pay rent on time, which is what the relationship between a landlord and a tenant should really be about,” Pritzker said in Chicago as he signed Senate Bill 1290 into law. Brooke of Fabulous Faces did free face painting for any kid during the Butter Burgers and Badges The bill is nearly identical to one fundraiser. lawmakers passed in 2018, but which former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed. And in signing the bill, Illinois became only the second state, behind California, to enact such a law. Under the new law, which takes effect immediately, landlords are specifically prohibited from disclosing or threatening to disclose information about a tenant’s immigration status for the purpose of harassing or intimidating that person or for retaliation against a tenant for exercising his or her legal rights. It also prohibits landlords from seeking to evict a tenant because of immigration or citizenship status, and provides civil remedies for tenants if their landlord violates the new restrictions. Additionally, it provides an exception for cases in which a landlord is required to disclose citizenship or immigration status information in order to comply with federal law or a court SUBMITTED PHOTO McHenry County News order. It was the third bill Pritzker has signed this year dealing with immigration issues. Earlier, he signed bills McHenry County Fairgoers, Bella Savino and Shannon Savino pose with Environmental Deprohibiting private detention facilities fenders’ volunteer, Isabel Bernardi, by the native pollinator garden at the Fair’s Conservation from being built in Illinois, preventing World Tent in early August. The Defenders were pleased to welcome five new members during local law enforcement agencies from the County Fair and with the opportunity to educate the general public about all the programs the participating in federal immigration organization runs that help preserve and protect our shared environment. enforcement actions and extending eli-
Native Pollinator Garden at Fair
gibility for state-funded student financial aid to students regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Each time, Pritzker has used the occasion to criticize President Donald Trump for his anti-immigration policies and rhetoric. “As our xenophobic president stokes a climate of fear, as Illinois stands up against him with our firewall, we will not stand by in silence,” Pritzker said. Sen. Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, the chief Senate sponsor of the bill, echoed that sentiment. “The current administration in Washington is openly hostile toward immigrant communities, and as a result, fear runs rampant in these communities,” Castro said. “Many people live with a constant worry that if they complain about unsafe housing conditions, a landlord might report them, because of their immigrant status, to authorities as retaliation for speaking up.” State Rep. Theresa Mah, a Chicago Democrat and the lead sponsor of the bill in the House, said during floor debate May 26 that it came about as a result of specific incidents that had occurred in her district, including a case in which a landlord allegedly threatened a tenant with eviction if she did not perform uncompensated work. The bill also had support from groups that advocate for immigrant rights, including the Latin Policy Forum, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Andrew Timms, president of the Illinois Rental Property Owners Association, said in an interview that his organization was involved in drafting the bill and did not oppose it. “We felt as though the bill that was passed through the Legislature really did target the people who were trying to use residency as a form of extortion,” he said. “We’re certainly opposed to extortion in any form.”